Nagamootoo lobbies Commonwealth support on Venezuela /Guyana border controversy

Sep 20, 2016 News

– says matter touches the international rule of law

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, lobbied for support from members of judiciary from across the Commonwealth on the continuing Venezuela /Guyana Border controversy.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

He made the appeal to approximately 200 judicial representatives from the various Commonwealth nations at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Conference, (CMJC).
The ceremony was held at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston yesterday.
Stressing that the matter is of national importance, Nagamootoo, who is performing the duties of President, outlined that after 50 years of Independence Guyana deserves a better life.
“At last, Guyana is on the threshold of a prosperous and excitable future. We can do without this threat confronting us as a border controversy. We are pursuing settlement by law”
“We have raised this matter with you, our distinguished visitors, because you represent a wide spread of Commonwealth jurisdictions and for our cause, we seek your solidarity and support. It is a matter that touches the international rule of law,” he said
Nagamootoo further told the gathering the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela has been identified and settled as a result of the decision of the international tribunal that was established in 1899.
He noted that Venezuela continues to claim the territory. Nagamootoo explained that a resolution on the matter has increased with Guyana’s recent oil find.
The Prime Minister subsequently told the attendees that President Granger‘s absence from the meeting was due to efforts towards finding an end to the matter.
President Granger is currently attending the United Nations General Assembly, where he plans to propose a legal settlement on the issue.
Prime Minister Nagamootoo said that United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, can advance the process towards finding a definite resolution for the controversy.
During a visit to Guyana last May, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Baroness Patricia Scotland pledged Commonwealth support to Guyana in the Venezuela /Guyana border dispute.
Baroness Scotland, who is here to participate in the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Independence celebrations, held discussions with the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, on the ongoing Guyana/Venezuela Border.
The Secretary-General said that the Commonwealth stands resolutely behind Guyana and is willing to lend whatever support is required.
“The Commonwealth has always stood resolutely by Guyana’s side and I think that it’s easy to forget that we represent 2.3 billion people and 53 countries; so Venezuela understands absolutely that if they decide to single out one of our sister countries then it is singling out all 53.”
“It is really important for Guyanese people to know that one third of the world’s population stands with you and you do not stand alone and you never will.
“Once I am Secretary-General, I am going to remind the rest of the world that you are not on your own,” Baroness Scotland had emphasised.
The Venezuela / Guyana border dispute has dragged on for several decades.
Last year, Venezuela issued Decree 1787, which claimed a significant portion of Guyana’s territorial waters. The Decree was followed by a military show of aggression on September 22, 2015 when Venezuela’s army deployed over 200 troops with missiles, machine guns and a military boat on Guyana’s frontier between San Martin and Ankoko Island.

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